GB810031A - Improvements in or relating to coin processing devices - Google Patents

Abstract

810,031. Coin-feed apparatus. PATZER, W. Nov. 7, 1957, No. 34801/57. Class 27 A coin testing and separating device for a dispensing machine comprises a pair of vertically disposed plates 10, 31 forming a coin passage, inclinded runways 41, 42, 43 positioned between the plates and having surfaces bevelled towards one plate, slots 44, 45, 46 extending above the runways and provided with tilted backing plates 47, 48, 49 and concave portions 50, 51 opposite the runways, the positioning and dimensioning of the parts being such that larger coins are separated out by running down the upper runway 41 while smaller coins tilt through the slot 44 and against the backing plate 47 so that they slide through the concave portion 50 of similar separation out of intermediate coins on the runway 42 and delivery of smaller coins to the runway 43. The slots have a height slightly less than the minimum diameter of the coin that will roll down the corresponding runway and their length is greater than the maximum diameter of the coin. Coins that slip off the runway tend to be displaced towards the lower end of the next slot so that they may reach that end before tilting through the slot and, to prevent this, the lower end 63 of the concave portion 50 may be shaped to displace coins up the runway and a deflector plate may be provided for the same purpose. On the concave portion leading to the bottom runway 43, the lower end 64 is shaped to allow an incorrect coin to remain tilted between the backing plate and the concave portion (i.e. without becoming upright on the lower runway) throughout the whole length of the slot and to be trapped there. Lugs_40, 66 and 68 are spaced above the runways by a distance slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the respective coins to trap overlarge coins and humps 70 may be provided to slow down the coins during passage under the lugs and also to arrest underweight coins that have insufficient momentum to pass over the humps. Coins smaller than those separated out on the lowest runway may be rejected through a slot 51a or may be held on the lowest runway resting against an arm 49a. Coins which do roll down the runways 41 and 42 pass to other runways 22 or 25 and between pairs of magnets 27 or 29. The magnets 27 and 29 both arrest coins that are highly magnetizable ; however, the composition of correct larger coins is such that they are slowed by the magnets 27 and directed to an accepted coin shoot while non-magnetic coins are not slowed and bounce from a deflector to a rejected coin shoot but as correct intermediate-sized coins are non-magnetic, the magnets 29 operate in the contrary sense to the magnets 27. While on the first runway 41, the coins corresponding to that runway are also tested by a pivoted spring-loaded wire 73 having ears 76, 79 protruding into the coin passageway. The distance between the ears is slightly less than the minimum diameter of larger coins and a correct larger coin will depress the curved ear 76 and withdraw the other ear 79 until the coin has rolled down sufficiently for its leading edge to block return of the ear 79 and prevent interference with movement down the runway, unless the coin has a hole or opening in it; a too-small coin will be trapped by the return of the ear 79 before the leading edge of the coin reaches it. Clearing coins. The plate 31 is mounted on a gate 32 pivoted at 16 so that a rejector lever can be operated to swing the plate 31 away from the plate 10 and at the same time a scavenger arm sweeps over the plate 10 to displace positively coins arrested by the magnets.